Big 12 inks big-time TV deal with Fox Sports

By BRENT ZWERNEMAN
COLLEGE STATION – The Big 12 took a huge step toward its apparent long-term survival with the announcement of its new TV deal with Fox Sports Media Group on Wednesday afternoon.

Last summer, the league survived largely on the premise that the Big 12’s remaining “Big Three” – Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma – would receive at least $20 million annually after the Big 12 shifted to 10 schools following the defection of Nebraska to the Big Ten and Colorado to the then-Pacific 10.

The Aggies, courted by the powerful Southeastern Conference, in particular insisted that they would hold the league to its promise of $20 million annually. On Wednesday during a Big 12 teleconference, league commissioner Dan Beebe said the new agreement should “make that issue moot” moving forward. Meaning the Aggies and others will get their money – and perhaps then some.

Terms of the new 13-year deal, set to kick in with the start of the 2012 football season, were not disclosed. Beebe did say the new deal would make the Big 12 “as favorable” financially as any conference in the country. Beebe also said there are no plans to expand from 10 teams.

“I don’t see in the crystal ball an interest to expand, however if the landscape shifts we’re going to continue to monitor it and be prepared to do something,” Beebe said.